Terri Violet fills Ward 3 vacancy on St. Peters Board of Aldermen

On Thursday, Sept. 27, St. Peters City Clerk Patty Smith searched the dais for an absent Terri Violet during her first roll call as alderman. The two gave each other a small laugh when Violet registered her presence from a few feet behind Smith in the audience section. The new alderman hadn’t taken a seat with the others because the clerk had not yet sworn her in.

Less than two hours earlier the city’s aldermen accepted Mayor Len Pagano’s recommendation for Violet to fill the Ward 3 vacancy created when Gus Elliott resigned on Sept. 13.

In her first public comments as alderman Violet thanked those who had supported her for the position and said, “As a Navy veteran and American Red Cross volunteer giving to my community has been a way of life for me. I’m excited about serving Ward 3. My door is open.”

Ward 2 Alderman Judy Bateman, the only other woman on the board, welcomed Violet and told the male members “We’re taking over — Girl Power!”

In a work session before the board’s regular meeting the board had little discussion about Violet, perhaps because she has been involved in various civic activities for years. Jerry Hollingsworth, Ward 2, said he would have preferred that the voters chose her but also said that he supported the recommendation. Alderman Don Aytes, Ward 4, cited some of Violet’s public service and said, “I like to see people really take an interest in the city.”

Her Web site lists her community activities as an American Red Cross volunteer, St. Peters Veteran’s Memorial Commission chaplain, Planning and Zoning Commission alternate, city historic committee member, Neighborhood Watch participant, and others. The site also says she is a graduate of the citizen’s academies of the city’s police department and Central County Fire and Rescue.

Violet’s appointment as alderman lasts until the next municipal election, which is April 2, 2013. At that time voters will decide whether she is reseated.

She fills a vacancy on the committee caused when Elliott resigned after admitting he put a city official’s name on a document he had written to the Missouri Ethics Commission complaining about another alderman. No criminal charges in that incident have been filed.